SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD
What a day. It is colder inside this house than outside. What else can we expect from Texas weather? The month of February rolls on, along with the clock and the mind's memories. For some of you, today's writing will be found in your memory bank. For you younger folks, this is just a historical tid bit from the way we were at last century's midpoint.

My knowledge of our town begins with June 1, 1950, officially. Actually, we moved here the last week of May. Ownership of this newspaper became official June 1. With that said, we can begin a quick trip down memory lane. We need to skip a couple of years, however, to connect with the pictures you see here.

The Rusk Chamber of Commerce was in its infancy, having been launched by an incredible man and his wife, Curtis and Kathleen Ainsworth. Their leadership had recently ended by our arrival, but seeds planted lived many years after they left.

The photo taken was after their departure and a new chamber leader had been secured. He was Jake Johnson, who with his wife Wanda, left an imprint of their service through the chamber.

Six beauties vie for The Title. Joy Hamilton, second from right, was crowned. The help of readers with others' identification will be appreciated.

The crowning of a Queen was clearly the high point of the evening at the still new, Cherokee Theater.

Chamber manager Johnson is pictured placing the crown on beautiful Joy Hamilton. Her parents owned and operated a hardware store just off the southeast side of the square.

Standing slightly back is a contest runner up, Roberta Riggs, daughter of Elbert and Gladys Riggs. These are the only two that I can identify, but in my defense, I did not get these photos until Saturday afternoon.

Friend Katie Gillespie loaned them to me, with a promise to return promptly.

This event may have been tied to the Tomato Deal, to the Lions Club or to that club's annual rodeo. I just don't remember. But I feel sure that some of you of that generation are going to help me with identification. There will be many connections between persons pictured here and younger citizens.

Chamber Manager l Jake Johnson places the crown on Joy Hamilton during coronation festivities at the Cherokee Theater, Standing back is Roberta Riggs.

Among them are Mary Jane and Bill Dyess of Jacksonville. She is a niece of Jake's wife, Wanda, the daughter of Wanda's twin sister. She and her spouse have been long-time residents of Jacksonville. He is employed with JISD and Mary Jane is a 20-year veteran of Ben Franklin Bank, formerly Jacksonville Savings and Loan Association.

Katie's late spouse, Frank, managed the theater in that era "before TV." It was literally, the hub of what was considered social life.

Next to the movie house was Quinton's Restau-

rant. Owners were the late Quinton and Bobbie Nicholson. The two businesses were the scenes of many happy memories. Ask any of the RHS grads of the 1950s. And don't forget that this era was not only "before TV," but "before AC." Can you imagine a world of homes and businesses without television or air conditioning? All of us did just that. Technology entered the picture. TV was just one of many new words to join our vocabulary. Hopefully, this will bring some warm, fuzzy feelings to the hearts of all who yearn for yesterday. Just don't linger there too long. You could learn to live without television? Our gratitude to the town photographer Wiley Shattuck for his legacy of long-lasting photos. Keep smiling. herald@mediactr.com

Jake Johnson, standing center at the microphone, served as master of ceremonies for a coronation ceremony at the Cherokee Theater in the early 1950s. He fronts a band of six musicians.